This year's doggy swim days, when area pools invite four-leggers in before closing for the season, are continuing this weekend. Dogs must be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and friendly, and if yours isn't a strong swimmer, we recommend bringing a doggy life jacket. Dog not a swimmer? There will be lots of playing poolside too.

Doggie Splash Day in Mesquite (rescheduled from last Saturday): Along with swimming from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Vanston Pool, 2913 Oates Drive, there will be contests for best pooch swimsuit, look-alikes, paddling and diving. Proof of vaccinations is required. $5 for one person with one dog, $2 per additional pet, $1 for spectators. 972-216-6260. cityofmesquite.com/pard.

Dog Splash Day in Richardson: This year's party, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Terrace Pool, will feature rescue groups, raffles and entertainment including live music, dog acts and a wildlife exhibit. The pool is sloped at one end for easy access. Proof of rabies vaccination is required (a tag will work). 300 N. Lois Lane. $5 per dog, free for humans. richardsonanimaluv.org.

Dog-A-Poolooza in Garland: The 13th annual event, from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Holford Pool, will have play areas in and out of the water along with a raffle, vendors and post-swim baths and nail trims. Proof of current rabies vaccination is required (a tag or paperwork). 2322 Homestead Place. $5 per dog, $1 per human (cash only). facebook.com/garland.pawsibilities.

Also on the schedule

•Saturday is Clear the Shelters day, with adoption fees waived across the D-FW area (other fees may apply). More than 60 area shelters are participating in the annual event, which has spread since starting in North Texas in 2014. You can find details and a list of participants at cleartheshelters.org.

•Dallas Pets Alive's yearlong Brew Tour will continue from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Community Beer Co., 1530 Inspiration Drive. A different brewery is hosting the group each month, and participants receive a Brew Card at the first one they visit and a stamp for every event they attend. Those who end the year with at least 10 stamps will win DPA swag. Free admission. Dogs are welcome. facebook.com/dallaspetsalive.

•Meet and greets (dogs welcome at all): DFW Rescue Me at Texas Toyota in Grapevine from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. ... Straydog at the Petco in Rockwall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. ... DFW's FurGotten Friends at the Hollywood Feed on Skillman from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. ... Take Me Home Pet Rescue at their adoption center in Richardson from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. ... Dallas DogRRR at the Hollywood Feed in Allen from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. ... Cody's Friends Rescue at the Shacks at Austin Ranch in The Colony from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. ... Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue at the Hollywood Feed in Richardson, where they will recording testimonials from fosters, volunteers, donors and adopters for use in a social media campaign, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. ... Tails From the Heart Rescue at the Hollywood Feed in Plano from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. ... Rockwall Pets at the Petco in Rockwall from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

•Chef Point's next Pints for Pups yappy hour on the patio, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, will feature Deep Ellum Brewing Co. Buying one of their beers will get you a commemorative glass, and four-leggers can order off the restaurant's doggy menu. 5901 Watauga Road in Watauga. Free admission, with 15 percent of sales going to Canine Soulmates Rescue, which will be there with adoptable dogs. 817-656-0080. chefpointcafe.org.

•Also dog-friendly Thursday: George Strait tribute band King George's show at Vitruvian Park in Addison.

•Bedford's annual Dog Days of Summer series is continuing with a free Woofstock concert at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at the Bark Park, 3200 Meadow Park Drive. Rob Redwine and the Roses will perform, and there will be refreshments and free food from In-N-Out Burger. Coming up is this year's Dog Splash on Sept. 8. 817-952-2323. bedfordtx.gov.

•What a Great Dog! Training Center is offering a make-and-take snuffle ball class at 5 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Frisco location. No artistic or sewing skills are needed to create the balls, which are made out of fleece strips and treats. This one is for the two-leggers only. 10550 John W. Elliott Drive, Suite 200. $20 per person, includes supplies for one ball. Please bring your own scissors. Sign up at whatagreatdog.com.

•The SPCA of Texas' annual Fur Ball will be Sept. 22 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. This one is for the two-leggers only. Tickets, $300, are available at furballdallas.com.

Send tips for B.K. on dog-friendly happenings and places to twoldt@dallasnews.com. Find more by searching for "Dog About Town" on Facebook, where we post event photos, and next Saturday in Briefing and atdallasnews.com. To subscribe, call 214-977-8333 or go todallasnews.com/briefing. You can also follow us on Twitter at@DogAboutTownand Instagram atbkdogabouttown.

Dog-friendly patios

Note: Dog-friendly dining is outdoors and can depend on several factors, including the weather, how busy the restaurant is and who is working. Call ahead if you need to know for sure whether they can accommodate you. Please send additions or changes to twoldt@dallasnews.com.

* means it has received the city's dog-friendly patio variance (available in Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Carrollton, Fairview, Arlington, Flower Mound, Frisco, Lewisville, Euless and McKinney). The rules: Dogs must stay off furniture, be leashed and under control and wear a rabies tag. They cannot eat off the establishment's dishes; they may be given water in a disposable container.

Chef Point: Four-leggers are welcome on the covered patio at this foodie favorite located in a gas station, and Yappier Hours from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays feature drink specials and a doggy menu. 5901 Watauga Road, Watauga, 817-656-0080

Mutts Canine Cantina*: Pooches can play in their off-leash dog park, which has separate areas for small and large dogs, or order off the doggy menu while on leash on the patio. 2889 Cityplace W. Blvd. (at Oak Grove Avenue), Dallas, 214-377-8723

American National Bank of Texas: Their tellers, inside as well as in the drive-through, always have treats -- biscuits for canine customers, lollipops for humans. 2703 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, 214-224-7300

First Community Bank: Their lobbies feature a wall of photos of four-legged visitors, who are welcomed with a water bowl and treats. And they offer free Bark and Meow Accounts, which encourage customers to save for their pet's future. 4135 Belt Line Road, Addison, 972-788-0304; 7995 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, 972-407-5430; and 1755 N. Collins Blvd., Richardson, 972-437-2888

Forty Five Ten: 1615 Main St., Dallas, 214-559-4510

Frank Kent Honda: Your pooch can ride along at this dealership, which has a 1.5-acre dog park and treats for four-legged visitors. 3400 W. Loop 820 S., Fort Worth, 800-952-5513

Lululemon: most locations, including 3201 Knox St., Dallas, 214-443-0438; 11350 N. Dallas Parkway (in the Galleria, so they must be carried), 972-385-2316; and 1540 S. University Drive in Fort Worth, 817-882-8075

Second Chance Treasures: This resale shop is doubly dog-friendly: Pooches are welcome, and it raises money for East Lake Pet Orphanage. 10101 Garland Road, Dallas, 214-660-9696. You can also bring them to their warehouse at 7939 Heinen Drive, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Simba's Barkery: Their kiosk is on the first level of the Shops at Willow Bend, in front of Express, and dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed, well-behaved and stay away from the food court. The mall also has a few other pooch-friendly stores, including nearby Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard, Plano, facebook.com/thebarkerydfw

Dog-friendly attractions

Bishop Arts District (restaurant, store details above): After a leisurely meal -- your options include Eno's Pizza Tavern, Gloria's, Oddfellows, Dallas Grilled Cheese Co., Whitehall Exchange, Chan Thai, 303 Bar & Grill, Espumoso Caffé, Ten Bells Tavern and Bolsa -- check out the stores, many of which allow four-legged shoppers, too. You'll find great gifts at Fête-ish, We Are 1976 and Neighborhood Design Bar, flowers at Dirt and things to wear at Epiphany (both the men's and women's stores), Strut and the Laughing Willow. And make sure you stop by Green Pet for a treat. We also love that the shops stay open late on weekends and for special events, such as their 1st Thursdays. Find a schedule at bishopartsdistrict.com.

Central Dog Park at Central Christian Church: They have worship services in the park at 9 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month (weather permitting). 4711 Westside Drive, Dallas, cccdt.org

Chestnut Square Historic Village (outside areas): On Saturday mornings you can pick up homemade dog treats at their farmers market (first and third Saturdays of the month during the winter). 315 S. Chestnut St., McKinney, chestnutsquare.org

Coppell Farmers Market: Saturdays, switching from weekly to the second and fourth Saturdays of the month during winter, from 8 a.m. to noon in the public square at 768 W. Main St., coppellfarmersmarket.org

Dallas Heritage Village (outside areas): This is a great place to go for a walk. We recommend bringing a bowl (the park has drinking fountains). Note: It's closed in January and August. 1515 S. Harwood St., Dallas, 214-421-5141

Fort Worth Stockyards: Doggies are welcome throughout, including on the tours and at the cattle drives. You can also eat on Love Shack's patio and shop at M.L. Leddy's (details for both above). Main Street and Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth, fortworthstockyards.org

Grove at Waterside: This park-like oasis includes a community pavilion with an 80" TV and lounge seating, bocce and cornhole courts, patios and access to the Trinity Trails. It also hosts events including live music, yoga and pet adoption meet and greets. 3720 Convair Drive, Fort Worth, 817-810-1122

Klyde Warren Park: The urban oasis features a dog park, food trucks and lots of activities, including pet adoption events. Over Woodall Rodgers Freeway, between Pearl and St. Paul streets, Dallas, klydewarrenpark.org

Main Street Garden: This downtown spot includes a cafe and doggy playground. At Main and St. Paul, Dallas

McKinney Avenue Trolley: McKinney Avenue, Dallas, 214-855-0006

One Arts Plaza: Featuring a stunning fountain and restaurants with patios (Jorge's and Yolk -- details above), this is a great spot to get breakfast, lunch or dinner. At Flora and Routh, overlooking the Dallas Arts District. artsplazaevents.com

Rafter J Cowboy Church: Their services, at 10 a.m. Sundays in a covered riding arena, are interdenominational and welcome newcomers, including the four-legged and those who have never ridden a horse. Dogs must be leashed and well-behaved. 10701 County Road 305 in Terrell (off State Highway 148 and Interstate 20, about 30 minutes from Dallas). 972-872-5132. rafterjcowboychurch.org

Rockwall Farmers Market: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon on the downtown square, South Goliad Street and East Rusk Street, rockwallfarmersmarket.org

Trinity Groves: Pooches are welcome on the patios at Beto & Son, Chino Chinatown, LUCK, Saint Rocco's New York Italian, Souk, Sushi Bayashi and V-Eats Modern Vegan in this dining complex at the foot of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. Singleton Boulevard and Gulden. trinitygroves.com